What to know
- Ontario Black-serving organizations say funding cuts are reducing access to key supports like mental health care, tutoring, and family services.
- The BYAP funding shift has created uncertainty, forcing groups like DFCC to lay off staff and shut down programs.
- Over 20 organizations report disrupted services and warn that the cuts are happening without consultation or transition planning.
- Advocates are calling for emergency funding and long-term investment, while the province says decisions are still being finalized.
Black-serving community organizations across Ontario are warning that recent provincial funding cuts have led to the loss of critical programs, limiting access to essential services for young people and families.
A collection of organizations dedicated to serving the needs of Black community members is raising concerns after they say that the shifting of several provincial funding programs has led to a reduction in their ability to provide crucial services.
The group, which includes organizations like Parents of Black Children, The Reading Partnership, and Durham Family and Cultural Centre (DFCC), says the cuts impact community-based programming for things like mental health, student advocacy, tutoring, and family and parenting services. Leaders say the funding reductions have already had an impact, with Black children, youth, and families bearing the brunt of the issue.
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Shift in funding
Executive Director of DFCC, Debbie Miles-Senior, shared that on March 27, the Ministry of Citizenship and Multiculturalism notified the centre of a shift in the Black Youth Action Plan (BYAP) funding strategy. Officials shared that while there is a $16.5 million provincial allocation for the BYAP program for 2026-27, the ministry cannot guarantee ongoing or equivalent funding levels to currently supported organizations. Additionally, while a funding decision is set to be made in the summer, the organizations did not receive funds to help them continue to provide services.
A letter from the DFCC to the Minister of Citizenship and Multiculturalism, Graham McGregor, shared with Now Toronto outlines the devastating impact of cuts to the BYAP grant, which serves as the primary funding source for the centre. Miles-Senior says that for DFCC, the shift represents a potential loss of over $600,000 in annual operational funding, leading to the removal of professional staff and infrastructure. The organization has lost 90 per cent of its staff, including Student and Family Advocates, while cuts also forced the shutdown of counselling services and parent workshops.
The DFCC supports more than 1,000 vulnerable families in Durham Region with services like trauma-informed counselling, educational advocacy, cultural food safety, and mentoring. The letter emphasizes that demand for DFCC’s services is not only significant but growing. Census and regional data show a rapidly increasing Black population in Durham Region, alongside rising immigration, which has intensified the need for culturally relevant supports.
Funding cuts lead to service reductions
In a statement, Miles-Senior explained that the decision is affecting more than 20 Black-serving organizations across Ontario, from Ottawa to the Greater Toronto Area to Windsor.
“This is not just a funding decision, this is a direct disruption to the lives of children and families who depend on these services,” Miles-Senior shared.
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“Programs that have taken years to build trust in our communities are being dismantled overnight, with no consultation and no transition plan, it’s heartbreaking.”
Miles says this reflects a broader pattern of decisions made without consultation with the communities most affected, and highlights a serious lack of coordination across government ministries.
Petitioning for change
Black-led and serving community organizations Ontario-wide are now mobilizing, calling for accountability, action, and a provincial commitment to equitable, sustainable investment in Black communities.
Stressing that Black Ontarians deserve fair access to public resources and support, the group have released a list of key demands, including:
- Immediate reconsideration of funding decisions
- Emergency/bridge funding to prevent service disruption
- Meaningful consultation with Black-led organizations
- Long-term, sustainable investment in wraparound supports
Additionally, they have released a petition calling for Ontario’s Ministry of Citizenship and Multiculturalism to take immediate action.
Petitioning for change
Black-led and serving community organizations Ontario-wide are now mobilizing, calling for accountability, action, and a provincial commitment to equitable, sustainable investment in Black communities.
The group have released a list of key demands, including:
- Immediate reconsideration of funding decisions
- Emergency/bridge funding to prevent service disruption
- Meaningful consultation with Black-led organizations
- Long-term, sustainable investment in wraparound supports
Additionally, they have released a petition calling for Ontario’s Ministry of Citizenship and Multiculturalism to take immediate action.
Ministry of Citizenship and Multiculturalism responds
Now Toronto reached out to the Minister of Citizenship and Multiculturalism for comment on provincial funding and the petition. Mackenzie MacDonald, a representative for the ministry, says the province is not ending the Innovative Supports for Black Parents or Student and Family Advocate programming.
“In fact, as part of our 2026/27 budget, our government is providing $16.5M to support black youth through the Black Youth Action Plan (BYAP). Consistent with the approach used in previous years, the ministry is reviewing the funding allocations under the Black Youth Action Plan,” MacDonald said in an email.
“And as per standard process, finalized individual funding decisions will be communicated to organizations and announced in the coming weeks.”
